When it comes to a choice of career, plumbing is a popular trade because the demand for plumbers is growing. The profession is not dependent on the economy and plumbers are always busy.
And, if you have decided to pursue a career in plumbing in Georgia, then the first and foremost step is to get a plumber’s license that will allow you to work as a licensed plumber in the state. And, in this article, we’ll give you a complete lowdown of how you can get a plumber’s license in Georgia.
Types of Plumbers in Georgia
In Georgia, there are 3 types of plumbers—Journeyman, Master Plumber Class I and Master Plumber Class II.
Plumbing License Requirements in Georgia
To be a licensed plumber in Georgia, you must fulfill the following requirements. You must:
- Be 18 years or older
- Have a Social Security Number
- Have a US issued ID or a valid driving license
- Complete background check
- Have experience of 2 years to be a journeyman and 5 years for a master plumber license
- Have 1 year or less of experience from secondary education
- Give 3 references from licensed plumbing contractors
- If not a US citizen, then submit a complete citizen affidavit
Qualifications Required to Be a Plumber in Georgia
To be a licensed journeyman plumber in Georgia, you must:
- Be 18 years or older
- Have a GED or high school diploma
- Have the physical ability to perform all plumbing jobs
- Have at least 3 years in an apprenticeship
- Have 3 references of which 1 should be from a master plumber
To be a licensed master plumber in Georgia, you must:
- Be 18 years or older
- Have 2 years of experience as a journeyman under the supervision of a master plumber
- Have 3 references of which 1 should be from a master plumber
- Have written the journeyman plumber test and pass with a minimum of 70%
- Provide a copy of the Georgia journeyman plumbing license that has been active for 2 years at least
- Demonstrate good knowledge of the plumbing industry
Work Experience Required
Before you are eligible to apply for a plumber’s license in Georgia, you need to gain the required years of work experience. Work experience as a plumber in Georgia is categorized as primary experience and secondary experience. Primary experience is essentially the work experience that is gained via the installation of plumbing systems.
- Journeyman: For a journeyman plumber license, you need 3 years of experience and lets you install, repair, maintain, or alter plumbing systems and fixtures under the supervision of a master plumber.
- Master Plumber Class I (Restricted): A Master Plumber Class I license allows you to perform plumbing work on:
- Single-family homes
- 1-level homes that are not designed for more than 2 families
- Commercial properties of not more than 10,000 sq. ft.
You need 5 years of plumbing experience, of which at least 2 years must be as a licensed journeyman, plumbing foreman, plumbing contractor, military plumber or plumbing superintendent.
- Master Plumber Class II (Unrestricted): The license lets you perform all types of plumbing work without any restrictions. To get a Master Plumber Class II license you require:
- Proof of experience in industrial and commercial plumbing
- 5 years of plumbing experience of which at least 2 years must be as a licensed journeyman, plumbing foreman, plumbing contractor, military plumber or plumbing superintendent.
Secondary experience is the work experience that is gained while engaged in training or work related to the installation of plumbing systems and some of the work experience can be satisfied via formal education by completing a:
- Certificate program in a vocational-technical school that can be credited for up to 2 years of secondary work experience
- Diploma program of a technical school in engineering technology can be credited for up to 1 year of secondary work experience
Insurance and Bond Requirements
The Georgia State law requires that before you offer plumbing services independently or bid on plumbing jobs, you must secure a surety bond of $10,000 and deposit it with a probate court judge in the county where you work mostly.
If you are a licensed plumber, to work on plumbing projects in Georgia, you are required to have liability insurance that covers customer injuries and property damage.
Application Form
The process of getting a journeyman, Master Plumber Class I and Master Plumber Class II license in Georgia is very specific and rigorous. You need to fill up a series of forms to apply to the licensing board.
You can either download the forms here or contact the Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers for the same. Once the Georgia board approves your application, you can then schedule your exam.
To obtain the journeyman plumber and master plumber licenses, you must write an exam for which you must complete the application 60 days before and submit it along with a fee of $30. Your application must include the following:
- Documentation of the transcripts or current licenses
- Letters of reference
- Tears of experience
- Background check
You will need an admission notice and an approval letter from the licensing board before you can take the examination. You can send in your application along with the appropriate exam fees to PSI or you can pay it online on the PSI website.
Background Check
Along with your plumber’s license application, you must submit a background check, which you can get by either going through a private background check agency or the local law enforcement office.
If you confirm on the application that you have been convicted, then you need to submit the required certified documentation along with the application.
Cost
There are different fees that you need to pay to get a plumber’s license in Georgia.
Journeyman Plumber License
- Application Fee: $30
- Examination Fee: $223
- Renewal Fee: $75 (once in 2 years)
Master Plumber Class I and Master Plumber Class II License
- Application Fee: $30
- Examination Fee: $267
- Renewal Fee: $75 (once in 2 years)
Written Exam
You must complete your plumber license exam by the date that has been assigned and get a score of 70% or more. The journeyman, Master Plumber Class I and class II exams are proctored by PSI. The exams include:
Journeyman
- No. of Questions: 100
- No. of Hours: 5
Master Plumber Class I
- No. of Questions: 80
- No. of Hours: 7
Master Plumber Class II
- No. of Questions: 100
- No. of Hours: 7
You will get the results of the exam after 45 days. If you pass the exam, you will receive your license identification card. If you fail, then you can reapply to retake the exam by filling up the new exam scheduling form.
Good Plumbing Programs in Georgia
In Georgia, there are many trade schools that offer plumbing programs. You can complete a 2-year degree at a community or technical college or a certificate program in a few months.
You can choose to do an online program or complete the courses in a regular college depending on your preference and convenience. Here is a list of some of the good plumbing programs in Georgia:
- Atlanta Technical College
- Southern Crescent Technical College
- Albany Technical College
- Central Georgia Technical College
Apprenticeships
If you’re starting out in your career as a plumber in Georgia, then an apprenticeship is invaluable to building a strong foundation. They can help to provide valuable on-the-job training in various aspects of plumbing. Here are some avenues to get an apprenticeship in plumbing in Georgia:
- Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association of Georgia (PHCC)
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, & HVACR Technicians Local Union 72
Salary Expectations in Georgia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a plumber in Georgia is around $49,180.
- Journeyman: For a journeyman plumber the average salary per hour is around $24.42 and the overtime per annum is around $10,331.
- Apprentice: As an apprentice plumber, you can earn an average salary of $14.34 per hour and overtime of $5,429 per annum.
Useful Organizations to Know
If you’re a licensed plumber in Georgia, then it is a good idea to know a few professional organizations or trade associations if you need any relevant information or help.
- West Georgia Inspectors Association
- Georgia Plumbers Trade Association
- Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors of Georgia
FAQs
What work experience do I need to get a plumber’s license in Georgia?
The work experience required to get a plumber’s license in Georgia is categorized as primary and secondary experience. Primary work experience is essentially gained via the installation of plumbing systems that are under the supervision of a master plumber and/or covered by the Georgia State Plumbing Code, as well as directly related activities.
Secondary experience is the work experience you get when engaged in training or work related to plumbing installation covered by the Plumbing Code such as in vocational school. To apply for a journeyman license in Georgia, you should have 3 years of work experience.
To apply for a Master Plumber Class I license, you should have 5 years of work experience of which 2 years should be as a journeyman plumber. And to apply for a Master Plumber Class II, you need experience with industrial or commercial plumbing.
Relevant education can be applied towards the requirement of experience. If you complete a diploma program in engineering technology in a technical school, up to 2 years can be credited towards secondary work experience or if you complete a certification program of a vocational-technical school, then, up to 1 year can be credited towards secondary work experience.
Do I need to renew my plumber license in Georgia?
The plumber license is valid for a period of 2 years from the date of issue in Georgia and you must renew it before it expires. You will get a reminder to renew your license 8 weeks before the renewal date. The fee to renew your plumber license is $75 and to qualify for renewal, you must complete the continuing education.
Are there any continuing education requirements in Georgia?
To be eligible for renewal of your journeyman or master plumber license in Georgia, you must complete the continuing education, which comprises a minimum of 4 years for every year of instruction related to the profession. The courses should be conducted by a trade association, college or vocational-technical school.
In conclusion, getting a plumber’s license in Georgia is quite a rigorous process and involves a lot of steps. Our detailed guide is sure to provide all the information you need to help you apply and obtain your plumbing license in Georgia successfully.